Indiana Workplace Deaths Up 3 Percent Last Year

A new report says the number of people dying on the job in Indiana rose to 122 last year from 118 the year before.

The Times of Munster and WIBC-FM in Indianapolis say the Indiana Department of Labor released preliminary data on workplace deaths for 2011 on Monday.

The report shows the riskiest jobs in Indiana are related to driving, including commercial vehicles, automobiles, forklifts and construction equipment. Last year, half of all fatalities were transportation-related events. Nearly a third involved highway motor vehicle crashes.

Labor Commissioner Lori Torres says the 3 percent increase in workplace fatalities “strongly suggests” that Indiana has much more work to do in the area of workplace safety.